There's no free will," says the philosopher; "To hang is most unjust." "There is no free will," assents the officer; "We hang… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
APHORISM, n. Predigested wisdom. The flabby wine-skin of his brain Yields to some pathologic strain, And voids from its unstored abysm The… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
The palmist looks at the wrinkles made by closing the hand and says they signify character. The philosopher reads character by what… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusion is called a philosopher. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
When prosperous the fool trembles for the evil that is to come; in adversity the philosopher smiles for the good that he… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum -- "I think that I think, therefore I think that I am;" as close an approach to… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
GNOSTICS, n. A sect of philosophers who tried to engineer a fusion between the early Christians and the Platonists. The former would… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
MONAD, n. The ultimate, indivisible unit of matter (see Molecule). The monad has body without bulk, and mind without manifestation - containing… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
REALITY, n. The dream of a mad philosopher. That which would remain in the cupel if one should assay a phantom. The… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping. — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who… — Ambrose Bierce Copy Share Image
